fbpx

GET HOME DELIVERY! CLICK HERE »

ADVERTISE
pick up locations
HOME DELIVERY
donate

Jewish Journal

Connect. Inform. Inspire.

June 2, 2019

Anti-Israel Language Removed from CA Dem Resolutions

Leave a Comment / California, Online /

The anti-Israel language featured in drafted resolutions at the California Democratic Party convention in San Francisco was removed on May 31, the Jewish News of Northern California reported.

California Democratic Party Resolutions Committee member and Democrats for Israel Los Angeles President Andrew Lachman told the Journal in a phone interview that the committee revised a resolution calling for the United States to restore funding to aid in the Gaza Strip and West Bank as well as funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) to say that “we should restore aid to the Palestinians when UNRWA stops teaching anti-Semitism in the schools and we have more oversight to ensure that Hamas doesn’t steal the aid.” The same resolution also solely blamed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the lack of peace in the Israel-Palestinian conflict was edited to say that both sides need to take better steps toward achieving peace. Another resolution calling for Israel and Egypt to end their Gaza blockades was revised to say that the blockades should be lifted only if there’s “more oversight” on Hamas and if Hamas stops launching rockets against Israel, Lachman said.

Lachman added that resolutions mandating that state party officials provide equal time in meeting with Palestinians and requiring California Democrats in the House of Representatives to attend Rep. Rashida Tlaib’s (D-Mich.) trip to the Palestinian territories. Language accusing the Israeli government of siding with far-right anti-Semitic groups in the United States calling for Israel to withdraw from the Golan Heights, were also removed.

The aforementioned resolutions all passed with unanimous votes from the 35-member committee, according to Lachman.

“These resolutions had elements that were covered in previous platforms but also radically departed from those positions, so the committee made the decision to edit those resolutions to be more in line with the platform of the party, which still embraces a two-state solution,” Lachman said.

A drafted resolution that only condemned right-wing anti-Semitism was withdrawn altogether, per Lachman.

David Mandel, a Jewish Voice for Peace activist and state Assembly delegate who co-authored five of the resolutions, told the Journal in a phone interview that the committee’s edits were a “procedural trick” since he and his co-authors were not consulted on four of the resolutions; on the one he was consulted on, they didn’t reach an agreement.

“I think they’re afraid the resolutions… would have overwhelming support of the California Democratic Party delegates,” Mandel said. He also said the committee’s actions “may or may not be kosher according to the bylaws” and that it was “very upsetting for a lot of people.”

However, Lachman argued that the committee rules clearly state that any resolutions submitted to the committee become the property of the committee and that the edited resolutions didn’t need to the delegates’ approval since they were affirmations of the state party’s platform.

“I think people were satisfied with the way it turned out,” Lachman said.

Progressive Zionists of the California Democratic Party founding member Andrea Beth Damsky said in a statement, “I am so pleased with this powerful repudiation of anti-Zionist activity in the California Democratic Party. The conversation about the conflict takes up far too much time and energy, and we look forward to refocusing our resources into issues of concern for all Democrats — reproductive freedom, climate change, housing, and even perhaps adopting the Equal Rights Amendment!”

American Jewish Committee Los Angeles Regional Assistant Director Siamak Kordestani said in a statement to the Journal, “The U.S.-Israel relationship has strong bipartisan support. We are pleased that the California Democratic Party rejected this series of divisive resolutions. These anti-Israel resolutions represent neither the views of the Democratic Party nor the mainstream Jewish community. We look forward to continue working with our Democratic elected officials to ensure that U.S. support for Israel is bipartisan.”

Anti-Israel Language Removed from CA Dem Resolutions Read More »

Netanyahu Fires Acting Goverment Ministers Bennett and Shaked Ahead of Election Campaign

Leave a Comment / Israel, Online /

JERUSALEM (JTA) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fired Education Minister Naftali Bennett and Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked from his interim government.

Bennett and Shaked’s New Right Party did not garner enough votes in the April 9 national election to join the 21st Knesset, which dissolved last week. But since Netanyahu was not able to form a new government coalition before the dissolution of the Knesset, they have remained as ministers.

Netanyahu on Sunday fired the acting ministers, saying that they could not remain in the positions until the September 17 election after not being reelected to Knesset.

A government minister is not required to be a member of Knesset. But remaining as ministers would have given them a higher profile during the upcoming election campaign.

The two politicians had broken off from the religious Zionist Jewish Home Party to run in the April 9th elections with a religious-secular party called The New Right.

Bennett and Shaked said in a joint statement Sunday that they would ensure a smooth transition with their replacements, expected to be lawmakers from the Likud Party.

“Everything we have done was for the good of the State of Israel and its citizens. We will hand over the offices we chaired in an organized fashion, to the ministers who will replace us, to ensure a smooth transition and so that the next school year will open in order,” the statement said.

Bennett said Sunday several hours after Netanyahu announced his firing that his New Right Party would run in the September elections. He did not mention Shaked. Some reportedly had looked to bring Shaked into the Likud, and place her in a high position on the candidates list, which Netanyahu reportedly has rejected.

Netanyahu Fires Acting Goverment Ministers Bennett and Shaked Ahead of Election Campaign Read More »

Neighbors of San Francisco Holocaust Memorial Receive Anti-Semitic Hate Mail

Leave a Comment / United States /

(JTA) — Residents of San Francisco that live on the same street as a Holocaust memorial received anti-Semitic hate mail including a reading list of Holocaust denial titles.

The letters arrived at every home on San Francisco’s 34th Avenue in late May, J. The Jewish News of Northern California reported.

“It is hoped that you will all buy some of these books in this list and that you will realize that the Holocaust is a complete lie,” the letter said.

The full-page, single-spaced letter was signed by the Barnes Review. The Barnes Review is a bi-monthly magazine founded in 1994 by Willis Carto’s Liberty Lobby and headquartered in Washington, D.C. According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, The Barnes Review is “one of the most virulent anti-Semitic organizations around,” and its journal and website are “dedicated to historical revisionism and Holocaust denial.”

The Holocaust Memorial at California Palace of the Legion of Honor in San Francisco’s Lincoln Park is located in a grove of trees outside the Legion of Honor museum. Mounted in 1984, it depicts a man standing behind a barbed wire fence, flanked by corpses. It is maintained by the San Francisco Arts Commission.

The San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department, which hosts the sculpture, responded in a statement.

“These hateful mailings prove the necessity of hosting pieces like the Holocaust Memorial in our public spaces,” Tamara Barak Aparton, spokesperson for the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department, said in a statement. “The Holocaust Memorial inspires empathy in thousands of our visitors each year and reminds us to be vigilant against the rising tide of anti-Semitism.”

The letter also reportedly was sent to every home on Grove Drive, in Los Angeles, where the Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust is located.

Neighbors of San Francisco Holocaust Memorial Receive Anti-Semitic Hate Mail Read More »

Israel Strikes Several Military Targets in Syria After Rockets Fired on Northern Israel

Leave a Comment / Israel, Online /

JERUSALEM (JTA) — Israel’s Air Force struck several military targets in Syria in response to several rockets fired from Syria on northern Israel.

Three Syrian national soldiers and seven foreign nationals were killed in the attacks on military positions in the southern region of Quneitra, near the Golan Heights, the state-run SANA news agency reported.

The Israel Defense Forces confirmed that it struck the targets early on Sunday morning, including two artillery batteries, observation and intelligence posts, and an SA-2 aerial defense battery.

“We hold the Syrian regime accountable and will firmly operate against any attempt to harm Israeli civilians,” the IDF said in a statement.

At least two rockets were fired from Syria toward Mt. Hermon in the Golan Heights, a popular tourist area, late on Saturday night. No injuries or damage were reported. Rocket warning sirens were not activated, meaning that the rockets were headed for unpopulated areas.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who also serves as Defense Minister, said Sunday morning in a statement: “Yesterday I held security consultations in wake of the firing at the Golan Heights in which I instructed the IDF to take strong action. We are not prepared to tolerate firing at our territory and will respond with great force to any aggression against us. This has been my consistent policy and this is what we will continue to do for the security of Israel.”

Israel Strikes Several Military Targets in Syria After Rockets Fired on Northern Israel Read More »

Muslim Worshippers Riot After Jews Allowed on Temple Mount on Jerusalem Day

Leave a Comment / Israel, Online /

JERUSALEM (JTA) — Jewish pilgrims were permitted to visit the Temple Mount on Jerusalem Day, coinciding with the last days of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, sparking riots.

Muslim worshippers on the Temple Mount on Sunday threw chairs and stones at police forces there, after it was announced that non-Muslims would visit the site, according to the Israel Police. Some of the worshippers barricaded themselves in the Al Aksa Mosque and several were arrested. The police responded with what it called “riot control measures” to disperse the rioters.

Some 120 non-Muslim visitors were then allowed to visit the site that is holy to both Muslims and Jews.

The site usually is closed to non-Muslim visitors every year on the last days of Ramadan. It is the first time that Jerusalem Day and the last days of Ramadan have coincided in about 30 years.

The Temple Mount, known to Muslims as the Noble Sanctuary, is the third holiest site in Islam and is believed to be the site where the prophet Muhammad was transported from Mecca before ascending to heaven.

Jews are allowed to visit the site at certain times of the day and week, but are not allowed to pray or display Jewish symbols. Thousands visited the Temple Mount for Jerusalem Day last year.

Palestinian terror groups threatened renewed violence over the Temple Mount incident.

Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said that there “will be consequences” to an “attack of the Temple Mount’s worshippers by Israeli forces.” He added: “This constitutes an escalation and a violation of the compound’s sanctity.” Hamas also accused Israel of an attempt to “Judaize the Temple Mount,” Ynet reported.

Israel “will pay a price” for allowing “the settlers” to harm the compound, Palestinian Islamic Jihad said in a statement, which also said that the “Palestinian nation has the right to defend itself and its holy places against the Israeli aggression.”

Muslim Worshippers Riot After Jews Allowed on Temple Mount on Jerusalem Day Read More »